An NFL Perspective from Last Week in London, UK
The NFL Season is Back in London, UK Again!
I am sure all the NFL bettors were aware of the early Sunday game in London, England. It was a 9:30am EST start.
Why does the NFL brass schedule a game in London every season? Is the NFL testing the waters for an international franchise?
But gambling on NFL is legal in the UK. I suppose betting on NFL games is different in London? How does the NFL justify this location when they always have their anti-gambling platform in place.
The game was sold out at Wembley stadium with 83,765 fans in attendance. Apparently, there are betting kiosks in and around the stadium. Of course they have their regular legal betting shops throughout London and the countryside to accommodate those who watch for free on the BBC. How convenient for the general betting public who can bet a few quid just like walking into a pub to buy a drink. I wish we had it that easy in the States. No way our government would allow that for their citizens. They have to make our lives difficult.
The NFL has scheduled a game in London for the past 10 years to a sold out capacity. The English enjoy a good show and they like to bet. Records show they were evenly divided on the Jags and Colts and it was a close game.
The NFL claims this London production is very costly as they lose money to build a fan base. So I guess they are saying they have a loss leader to get fans into the store — like a supermarket. But they sell out all the time. I think they created a fan base long ago. This fan base popularity is based on something called sports betting, a favorite pastime the English do freely at their own convenience.
The US bettor has to go underground to place a bet online or call their local bookie and hope to get paid or move to Nevada. Even Vegas shut down local betting kiosks in sports bars through legislation with heavy casino influence. The sports betting kiosks were booking less than one-tenth of one percent of the sportsbook handle but that was considered invasive and was prohibited. Another blow to the local bettor. Besides, the many sportsbook operations in Vegas are getting too crowded with reserved seating and long lines. Most eliminated any perks like free drinks with a bet ticket. The betting kiosks were very convenient for bettors outside the city area but that was soon declared unlawful. Just more stupid legislation.
Is the NFL showcasing the London market to a potential expansion team? The Jags have a multi-year deal to play in London. The Wembley scene is more lucrative than their own game in Florida. They average sixty-thousand fans in Florida at lower ticket prices than London. The Wembley stadium averages eighty-thousand fans spending $130 compared to $85 per ticket in Florida.
Something to think about! Does anybody have a flat to rent in London ? Vegas is hot and dry while London is wet and cold. I need to fly across “the pond” someday and check out this London thing — betting made easy and convenient. What a cool idea!
